surf

[surf]

noun

1. the swell of the sea that breaks upon a shore or upon shoals.

2. the mass or line of foamy water caused by the breaking of the sea upon a shore, especially a shallow or sloping shore.

verb (used without object)

1. to ride a surfboard.

2. to float on the crest of a wave toward shore.

3. to swim, play, or bathe in the surf.

4. to search haphazardly, as for information on a computer network or an interesting program on television.

verb (used with object)

1. to ride a surfboard on.

   We surfed every big wave in sight.

2. to search through (a computer network or TV channels) for information or entertainment.

surf

/ sɜːf /

noun

1. waves breaking on the shore or on a reef

2. foam caused by the breaking of waves

verb

1. (intr) to take part in surfing

2. 1. computing (on the internet) to move freely from website to website (esp in the phrase surf the net )

   2. to move freely between (TV channels or radio stations)

3. 1. informal,  to be carried on top of something

      that guy's surfing the audience

   2. ( in combination )

      trainsurfing

surf

1. The waves of the sea as they break upon a shore or a reef.

Other Word Forms

• surfable adjective
• surfer noun
• surflike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surf¹

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier suff; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of surf¹

C17: probably variant of _sough ¹

Synonym Study

See wave.

Example Sentences

He didn’t surf that morning, but he was maybe going to later.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

While it is not expected to make landfall in the U.S., its effects are far-reaching, with life-threatening rip currents and surf along much of the East Coast that makes swimming dangerous.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“I’ll teach you to surf if you teach me to skate.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

He'd gone for a surf with his friends one Saturday morning at Long Reef in Sydney's northern beaches.

Read more on BBC

Marine Corps put forth a plan to build 128 homes for officers and their families on a 32-acre bluff at San Mateo Point near Trestles Beach, one of the nation’s most famous surfing spots.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• swell 
• wave